The portion of beach fronting Hilton Hawaiian Village certainly looked like catastrophe had struck today: ruins of a hotel were strewn across a stretch of a Waikiki beach, broken helicopters and boats stacked on top of the detritus. Dazed victims yelled for help and sought aid from firefighters and National Guard soldiers.

At least that’s what it looked like to dozens of spectators situated behind bright yellow caution tape and film crew security.

Scenes for the reimagining of the classic Japanese film “Godzilla” were filmed on the helipad area today and yesterday. Directed by Gareth Edwards, scenes have also been shot in the Vancouver area. The movie is scheduled for release in May 2014.

Cast member Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who starred in “Kick-Ass” (2010), was spotted on on the set today carrying 5-year-old actor Jake Cunanan through the faux wreckage. Also on the set were some of film's 225 extras. Among them: local residents who answered a June casting call, 30 members of the Hawaii National Guard, and 17 Hawaii firefighters playing themselves in scenes depicting the aftermath of the creature’s wrath.

The portion of beach fronting Hilton Hawaiian Village certainly looked like catastrophe had struck today: ruins of a hotel were strewn across a stretch of a Waikiki beach, broken helicopters and boats stacked on top of the detritus. Dazed victims yelled for help and sought aid from firefighters and National Guard soldiers.

At least that’s what it looked like to dozens of spectators situated behind bright yellow caution tape and film crew security.

Scenes for the reimagining of the classic Japanese film “Godzilla” were filmed on the helipad area today and yesterday. Directed by Gareth Edwards, scenes have also been shot in the Vancouver area. The movie is scheduled for release in May 2014.

Cast member Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who starred in “Kick-Ass” (2010), was spotted on on the set today carrying 5-year-old actor Jake Cunanan through the faux wreckage. Also on the set were some of film's 225 extras. Among them: local residents who answered a June casting call, 30 members of the Hawaii National Guard, and 17 Hawaii firefighters playing themselves in scenes depicting the aftermath of the creature’s wrath.